B L Saraf
Here is a latest renewal of the assumption. In the aftermath of recent Cabinet reshuffle, some MLAs felt left out. Immediately, they resorted to the trick of trade – that the communities they represent have been ignored and their Stake has diminished. Jugglery of Stake Holding is on which necessitates demystifying the phrase.
While as three decades old turbulence in Jammu and Kashmir has brought all round devastation, for some it came as a milch cow to be milked day in and day out. Best way to do it was to interject a nonexistent Stake and, then, rest assured of the auto- multiplying dividends. Words and terms were selected and brought to the fore with renewed expression, as to sound catch phrases. One among them is “Stake Holder “which stands truly embedded in the discourse that is aimed at a solution to the ‘K’ issue. Self serving opinion dispensers and so called ‘K’ experts find their political sermon incomplete until the word “Stake – Holder ‘ (SH) is emphasized ad nauseam. Even a mini actor in the political theatre has a standard monologue “all stake holders will be brought on board.”
Incessant use of the word is turning SH more powerful than it is in actual practice. The latent power in the expression has been so activated as to find, almost, every one sucked in. Thus cross-cutting all chances of a workable resolution to the vexed ‘K’ issue. The surfeit of SH ensures just that. It suits both – deparatists and the mainstream actors. The tribe of SH has prospered well in the environ made conducive by one and all. It stems from the idea that S H is essentially a medium of expressing one’s exaggerated qualifications, and thus a right to be taken on board when chips are down.
S H has turned into a flourishing ‘ institution’. One can disagree over the events that unfolded in 1947 – which marked a decisive shift both in history and geographical contours of the sub -continent. But there is no doubt that failure of successive state and the central governments to create congenial atmosphere for political and psychological assimilation of the societies has proved catastrophic. The chaotic scenario is providing succor to the ‘institution.’
The word SH has superseded lot of jargon which was earlier in vogue. To impart self – importance to the expression is good, only that it must be done appropriately. There has to be a reference to what one understands to be appropriate for healthy movement towards resolution of the problem. SH has to be a solution finder and not to work as an agent to complicate the problem, as to defy any kind of solution. For a person who puts his Stake on the table it comes with a condition that to be in the field you need certain qualifications and skills.
The catch phrase has become a password to enter the arena of political competition, without having an understanding that it takes lot of experience to set forth the ‘Stake “. Experience is not a commodity to be bought in the market with hard currency or by dolling out courtesies. It takes lot of blood and sweat shedding to gain such experience. Similarly, it is good to have enthusiasm but it must be supported by a real time physical and intellectual effort. Like experience, enthusiasm too is not available in the market.
For those who sincerely feel for the State reimagining of the thought is needed. True, it is hard to forget the cataclysmic period of nineties of the previous century but common sense demands we travel beyond bitterness of the period. One who advances his stake has to understand it and concede that right to his opponent also. J&K, like rest of the mainland, is not a monolith. The State is beset with myriad problems. Primarily, Kashmir is not one but two problems. One is of Kashmir between India and Pakistan and the other is in Kashmir between the people and the Central government. That probably supplies reason why so many busy bodies poke the nose.
Those who bat for separatism must overcome the archaic notion of ‘ two nation theory ‘. Kashmir defied the logic on which Partition was based. It took quite an effort on the part of leadership then to convince Kashmiris that their fate was more secure with India than Pakistan. As it is imperative for the “nationalist “to understand it and shed ‘ one culture ‘ one ideology ‘ narrative. We have to reconcile to the Pluralistic J & K open to the multiple vision – albeit within the broader contours of the Indian State. That surely is one undeniable stake in the whole matter.
Fortunately,there is substantial stake holding held commonly by the communities living in the Valley ; as indeed it is true of other parts of the State, also. Unfortunately, there has been a growth of the syndrome which put the common stake holding to an ugly competing business, based on prejudices and stereotype. If ever one has to assert a genuine stake in the business then, as far as possible, he will have to go for a reasonable and accommodative solution to some facets of the Problem. There is one area where enhanced Stake is, indeed, welcome. It is in the enterprise which works for the derailment of the syndrome that still festers in the psyche of a large section of our societies. At the same time we have to ensure reduction of the stake in the venture that drives wedge between the communities. The least we can do in this regard is to help restore some civility to the society at large.
Remember, there is no Wild Card entry to the political ‘Stake Holding “game. Neither is it an ability acquired on mere certification.
(The author is former Principal District & Sessions Judge)
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